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Monday, August 13, 2007

1 more day and panic is setting in...

So in 24 hours we will be heading to bed and getting up at 2:30 AM to head to the airport. WOW it is really here and in the next 24 hrs we have a ton to do.We are thrilled with all the emails of support and prayer for our trip and know this is an exciting time for us. The kids have no idea how this is going to affect their lives - actually I don't think Scott and I do yet either LOLWe know that we have some wonderful opportunities that have come together for us and this journey will be one in many that will be marked in our Calendars, journals...as a year to remember. Taylor will definately change us and add to the adventure.Reagan has done this before and has little memory of our past journey, but this will be a first for Kaitlyn. So tonight is final packing, re-checking our lists, last min. things to do and then tomorrow - we do the final bank stuff. Glad we are wiring the money this time! I have always hated carrying around that much cash.I again tend to wonder... what is my little girl Taylor like. We never got an update, so have no idea about this girl - what makes her tick...? I do hope they have prepared her.... this wonderfully made little girl is just perfect for our family and we will learn to know her personality, her traits... She will grow and blossem into a wonderful child, teen and women.Well need to get back to getting ready - thanks again for all the great emails...Enjoy the journey....Lavonne and family of 4 - soon to be 5

My kids

Odessa our cat

Lily our baby cat

Fundraiser for Family in Need

Born In Our Heart

About Me

Finally a family of 6 living in Renton, WA. Mom is an insane Canadian who loves the Lord and tries daily to serve HIM. Married to a great bug; man for 10+ years - which the kids adore.
4 precious kids we have been blessed with through adoption from China. Each whom God specifically picked for us with very unique and individual personalities that keep us on our toes. Finally 2 cats Odessa & Lily and the occasional temp pet...rat, ants, frogs that daddy has a habit of bringing home.

Wild Olive Trees

So what are these terms?

SN - Special NeedsNSN - Non Special NeedsPA - Pre Approval of the Child (Sn Child)HS - Homestudy - paperwork to prove you are worthy to adoptLOI - Letter of Intent (for sn child)DTC - Documents to ChinaLID - Log in Date (of DTC paperwork)LOA - Letter of AcceptanceTA - Travel ApprovalGotcha Day - The day you get your child -(Future Anniversary Date)CA - Consulate Appointment - the final day when the US Gov. finalizes your adoption and you can come home with your child.

Winston Timeline:

11-5-07 We heard about Justin11-8-07 Talked with Madison Adoptions11-9-07 Was sent files11-11-07 Decided to apply and sent inapplication/LOI11-13-07 Got called we were matched -sent in more papers11-20-07 Sent Madison 1st batch of paperwork & $$11-28-07 Winston has surgery in China TOF12-4-07 Homestudy interview and pmt12-7-07 Updated Photo's from LWB1-2-08 PA for Winston1-10-08 Dossier State Certified in WA1-14-08 Dossier Authenticated in SF1-21-08 Canadian Birth CertificateAuthenticated in BC1-23-08 Papers sent to DE1-24-08 Dossier off to CHINA !!! (DTC)1-28-08 Dossier at CCAA1-29-08 Winston's 3rd Birthday1-30-08 LIDFeb - constant updates on our guy5-1-08 LOA !!!! (Letter of Acceptance)5-2-08 officially got via DHL and sent back to DE5- 08 Earthquake - many killed5-21-08 China sent TA5-23-08 MAAW got TA5-28-08 We officially got TA via DHL6-13-08 Scott and Jim leave for China6-15-08 Gotcha Day - Father's Day !!6-25-08 CA apt - US Embassy6-26-08 PM - Swear In Ceramony6-27-08 Come Home!!! - journey finally over